In this comprehensive, three-day certificate course, international mindfulness teacher and best-selling author Donald Altman will share powerful clinical tools that will help you rewire clients’ brains and create a clear roadmap to wellness. From grounding and attention-focusing skills to metacognitive awareness, Donald will deliver detailed demonstrations and instruction on over a dozen mindfulness practices you can use to improve treatment outcomes.

Best of all, you will learn to embody mindfulness as you help your clients overcome clinical anxiety, depression, chronic pain, PTSD, addictive cravings, and stress related symptoms!

Regulate and rewire the brain through focused attention, selective memory, and strengths-based storytelling

Apply mindfulness to pain and improve mental and physical functioning in your clients

Reduce anxiety by mindfully managing transitions through movement and nature

Creatively adapt your newfound mindfulness tools to work with a variety of client populations

Donald is known for his compelling and entertaining presentations, and this 3-day workshop will get you excited about using mindfulness with your clients to achieve joy, calm, and healing. Return to your practice with a wide range of transformative tools to use in your next session!

Implement constructive distancing to help clients get a broader perspective on any situation.

Prepare affirmations and methods for developing self-compassion and feelings of safety, trust and forgiveness.

Explore the biochemistry of laughter and ways to include laughter in therapy.

Weigh the latest research on gratitude and evaluate how it can be used to manage depression.

Establish a mindful nature connection in clients and recognize the effects of nature on focus and moods.

Manage clients’ difficult or unresolved life situations through metacognition.

OUTLINE

Mindfulness and Cutting Edge Research

Mindfulness as a metacognitive skill

Negative effects of a wandering mind

Breathing reduces rumination and anxiety

Useful (and free) web resources

Introduce Mindfulness to Clients

Expand your mindfulness vocabulary

Help clients understand mindfulness

Find the right metaphor

Using clients’ learning styles

*Practice: Getting into the Present Moment

The Power of Sense Grounding

Anxiety reduction with sense grounding

Mindfulness for transitioning between activities

Physical grounding method of dropping into the body

Integrate progressive muscle relaxation

Good for spatial, visual, hands-on learning styles

*Practice: Palm the Present Moment

Brain Basics, Metacognition, and Interpersonal Neurobiology

Emotional regulation for depression and anxiety

Balance the brain’s default survival mode

Effects of cortisol on learning and immune system

Visual Brain Model for clients

The brain’s mindfulness module

Train the brain for calm response and metacognition

Navy Seals, arousal control & parasympathetic nervous system

Heart rate variability & relaxation response

*Practice: The Power of Breath

*Practice: Ask Clients the 3-Minute Question

The Behavioral Side of Mindfulness

Core lifestyle skills awareness training

Sleep hygiene

Manage sleep

Sleep rituals and strategies

Healthy eating/nutrition

Caffeine, protein, neurotransmitters, and the brain

Exercise

Manage technology – How weapons of mass distraction may be rewiring the brain

*Practice: Assessment of Technology and Time

Focus the mind (useful for ADHD)

Integrate breath with a word/image

*Practice: Be the Pebble

Mindful Laughter for Depression and Grief

Tools for the “terminally serious”

Research on laughter and mood

Biochemistry of laughter & human laughter response

Laugher yoga and laughter in therapy

*Practice: The Lightness of Laughter

The Uplifting Power of Storytelling

Storytelling to overcome depression and build relationships

Fredrickson’s Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions

Broaden attention; find resilience

Stories are fundamental to attachment

Build relationships through a story of strengths

*Practice: Identifying Strengths & Strengths Journal

Manage Moods through Attention and Selective Memory

Master attention and memories

Savoring the present moment

*Practice: Here and Now Pleasantness

Use selective memory to savor the past and future

*Practice: Savoring Success: Past, Present, and Future

Harnessing Gratitude to Increase Positive Emotions

Manage depression with gratitude

Gratitude research

Four psychological reasons for gratitude

Techniques that make gratitude interpersonal and enhance supportive social networks

*Practice: The G.L.A.D. Technique

Heal Emotional Pain Through Acceptance, Forgiveness, and Compassion

Forgiveness for moving forward with trauma

Forgiveness is a skill

Research on compassion practice

Changes in brain function

Security priming for feelings of safety and trust

Develop positive emotions and resources

Exercise

*Practice: Loving-Kindness Affirmation

The Truth About Stress

Biological markers of stress: Telomeres and aging

Identify and assess client stress levels

Perceived Stress Scale

Epstein Stress-Management Inventory

*Practice: Be a Smart Stress-Avoider

Mindfulness for Addictive Cravings

Emotional regulation for cravings

Impulse control and craving control using grounding

*Practice: S-T-O-P Grounding Technique

Change the Perception of Pain Mindfulness for Chronic Pain

Introduction to the Body Scan Practice

Demonstrate how to pay attention non-judgmentally

Powerful grounding method; applications

*Practice: Surf the Body (The Body Scan)

The Power of Sense Grounding Trauma

Constructively distance from PTSD and negativity

Three kinds of sense grounding

*Practice: Focusing on Favorites

Reduce Anxiety by Mindfully Managing Transitions

Manage transitions through movement and nature

Process orientation vs. outcome orientation

Attention Restoration Theory

Effects of nature on focus, moods, & healing

Slow down with nature to get present

Integrated Tools -

*Practice: Ground-Surfing (Mindful Walking)

*Practice: Turning Down the Volume with Nature

Re-Envision and Refocus

Working with difficult, unresolved life situations

Metacognition as a path to insight

*Practice: Bear Meditation

Put It All Together

Create a mindfulness roadmap for clients

Bundling practices together

Engage through learning styles

Maintain skills

Follow-up and reinforcement

DONALD ALTMAN, M.A., LPC

Donald Altman, M.A., LPC, is a psychotherapist, award-winning writer, former Buddhist monk, teacher and an adjunct professor at Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. He is also a faculty member of the Interpersonal Neurobiology program at Portland State University and teaches various classes blending mindfulness and Interpersonal Neurobiology.

A prolific writer whose career spans more than 25 years, Donald has authored several pioneering books on mindfulness, beginning with his 1998 Art of the Inner Meal. His book, The Mindfulness Code was named as “One of the Best Spiritual Books of 2010.” He has also authored Meal By Meal, Living Kindness, One Minute Mindfulness, The Joy Compass, The Mindfulness Toolbox: 50 Practical Tips, Tools & Handouts for Anxiety, Depression, Stress & Pain and his newest book, 101 Mindful Ways to Build Resilience: Cultivate Calm, Clarity, Optimism & Happiness Each Day.

In addition to his books, Donald was a staff writer for an EMMY-Award winning children’s television show (“The Magic Door”, CBS Chicago), won an American Medical Writer’s Association award, co-created the first interactive comic strip on America Online, and has had articles appear in New Age Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and Independent Business Magazine, among others.

Donald reaches out to the professional community by serving as the vice president of The Center for Mindful Eating. Donald works extensively with mindful meditation in his own life, as well as offering these tools to others through his books and classes. He teaches mindfulness and spiritual values around the country. He is dedicated to bringing these ancient practices in tune with modern living and to invite wellness into our stress-filled lives. Donald is also a member of the Burma Buddhist Association. An avid motorcyclist, he enjoys riding his motorcycle along the beautiful Oregon coast.

Speaker Disclosures:

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Donald Altman is in private practice. He is an Adjunct Faculty member of the Interpersonal Neurobiology Program at Portland State University. Mr. Altman receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.

Non-financial: Donald Altman has no relevant non-financial relationship to disclose.

Credits listed below are for full attendance at the live event only. After attendance has been verified, pre-registered attendees will receive an email from PESI Customer Service with the subject line, “Evaluation and Certificate” within one week. This email will contain a link to complete the seminar evaluation and allow attendees to print, email or download a certificate of completion if in full attendance. For those in partial attendance (arrived late or left early), a letter of attendance is available through that link and an adjusted certificate of completion reflecting partial credit will be issued within 30 days (if your board allows). Please see “live seminar schedule” for full attendance start and end times. NOTE: Boards do not allow credit for breaks or lunch.

If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. For other credit inquiries not specified below, or questions on home study credit availability, please contact cepesi@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before the event.

Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of mental health professionals. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your professions standards.

ADDICTION COUNSELORSThis course has been approved by PESI, Inc., as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 19.0 CE in the Counseling Services skill group. NAADAC Provider #77553. PESI, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of their programming. Full attendance is required; no partial credit will be awarded for partial attendance.

HAWAII ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE COUNSELORS: This course has been reviewed and approved by the Hawaii Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division for 19.0 hours of continuing education FOR Certified Substance Abuse Counselors (CSAC).

COUNSELORSThis intermediate activity consists of 19.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.

MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPISTSThis activity consists of 1140 minutes of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. You should save this course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.

NURSE/NURSE PRACTITIONERS/CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTSThis intermediate activity consists of 19.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please contact your licensing board to determine if they accept programs or providers approved by other national or state licensing boards. A certificate of attendance will be awarded at the end of the program to participants who are in full attendance and who complete the program evaluation.

PSYCHOLOGISTS

PESI, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PESI maintains responsibility for this program and its content. PESI is offering this activity for 19.0 hours of continuing education credit. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.

SOCIAL WORKERS

PESI, Inc. Provider #:1062, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), www.aswb.org through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Program. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: January 27, 2017 - January 27, 2020. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits. Social workers participating in this course will receive 19.0 (Clinical Practice) continuing education clock hours for this Intermediate course. A certificate of attendance will be awarded at the end of the program to social workers who complete the program evaluation. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.

OTHER PROFESSIONSThis activity qualifies for 1140 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your course outline and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.